Steelers at Colts: Game preview, odds, prediction

It’s a battle of 5-5 teams on Thanksgiving night as the Pittsburgh Steelers visit the Indianapolis Colts. But one club could be missing its leader.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts prepare to clash for the third consecutive year. But Chuck Pagano’s team could be without its talented starting quarterback.

Marc Sessler of NFL.com has Ian Rapoport’s report on Andrew Luck, who has been placed in concussion protocol. It appears the injury happened sometime during the team’s 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans but the actual time it occurred has apparently not been determined.

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That means backup quarterback Scott Tolzien could get the start on Turkey Day. And that could also mean a lot from running back Frank Gore, who has had a solid season with the club. He’s rolled up 843 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns this year. The Colts have won their last two contests following a 3-5 start. They trail the Houston Texans by only one game in the AFC South.

Odds

Line: Steelers (-7)

Over/Under: 50.5

It’s safe to say Pagano has seen enough of Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh attack in recent seasons to last a lifetime. In both 2014 and ’15, the Steelers hosted the Colts. The first contest resulted in a 51-34 win in which the Steelers’ signal-caller threw for 522 yards and six scores. One year later on a Sunday night at Heinz Field, Ben came up big with 364 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-10 victory.

Regardless of who is playing quarterback for the Colts, it’s the Indianapolis defense that is the concern here. Last week, the Steelers got a big game from running back Le’Veon Bell, who racked up 36 touches and 201 yards from scrimmage. It may be asking a lot for him to get the ball that much on a short week, but Roethlisberger has a slew of weapons to choose from. Keep an eye on the line in regards to Luck’s status.